Rope For Motorcycle Snow Traction? You might be surprised how well it works on the Africa Twin

So who would have thought using 1/2 inch climbing rope around the tire would give you such good traction. I've heard about this method in the past so thought I'd give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised!
I think this would be a great thing to keep in mind and cary on many Adventure Motorcycle trips where you might hit snow.
Instagram @backcountryadvmotorsports
Facebook @backcountryadvmoto
website www.ridewithbam.com
2016 Honda Africa Twin (Silver) Manual gear box
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[@MarcialWills]

It works just great in the mud too. I remove a little bit of air before tightening the rope, and then I added pressure again to ensure the rope is really tight

[@twistedsteelandtigermeat1101]

I ride a honda shadow all year round. I have for the last 5 years and in all weather conditions. The coldest I've ridden in is -10f and about 6in of snow. I wouldn't change a thing. I too concluded that zip-ties suck and will break immediately. Chains if they fail can cause catastrophic damage. So I too tried rope, 550 paracord to be exact. I make 10 independent loops for each tire and use a taut knot to secure them. You can't imagine the looks I get as I throw a roostertail of snow passing people. It works ridiculously well. If one of the pieces of rope wears out, breaks or the knot comes undone, nothing gets damaged and I'm still able to continue without stopping immediately to replace it. I'd give it a 9 out of 10 if you're in need of this kinda solution. The only reason it's not 10 out of 10 is that the ropes that do come off during riding are littering. If someone knows of a biodegradable rope that's similarly tough let me know.

[@kylemcgill2967]

Surprised... I watched your other video on the plastic zip ties thinking they were cool ... but now rope will be going into my bags thanks for sharing your find

[@ramvx68]

Hell yes, Brother, just bought my rope today and I am all in, on the DRZ400SM with Shinko 805 s Thanks, Dude !

[@backcountryadvmoto]

mike virdiramo the 804 front and 805 rear are a very good tire. And cheap! Thanks for watching good luck and have fun!

[@JakeMurrayFTW]

Wicked good! Can't wait to try this winter out in Oregon.Thanks Backcountry Adventure Motorsports!

[@rideoregonfirst]

I never would have thought of this! I used to carry rope, and I have pulled myself out with it, but THIS ^^^ is COOL!

[@gs12138]

As long as its safe. Takes motorcycle out in the snow. Lol. Great video man. 👍

[@BKM5931]

Nice dude! I used this method on one rear wheel when I had my Quadradrive equipped Jeep and it drove me straight up and out of a lot of deep/wet snow.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Patriot_USMC awesome! I had heard of this method, but never tried it out. I was happy with the result, and will carry the rope with me when I might hit some snow. I’ve ridden in a lot of snow and it’s mostly doable with out it, but the rope made it seam like I was riding on packed gravel. 👍🏻

[@SoumiSenguptaBDS]

Works well for mud.....I would suggest using multiple individual ties..pre measured and pre cut. ... rather than one continuous length. If you get a break a long rope could cause damage ....good vid..many thanks .

[@kman6349]

That was my worry! Good idea! 😆

[@carlbernsen1290]

That’s a really good idea. A spectra or dyneema rope would resist abrasion even better, more expensive but can also be used for winching.

[@MmmmmmmmmmmMm15]

Bro that’s a death sentence 😂

[@ellenj8896]

Really interesting! I had been wondering if it might work in mud, and you answered the question in the comment section. Also, I wonder if, because there’s likely some movement of the rope while riding, there might be less snow buildup on the tire. Also, it seems the rope would be less likely to damage the wheel compared to chains. It was fun to see the test ride, and I’ll keep that idea in mind for emergencies. I’m thinking maybe the zip ties might have gotten brittle from the cold, causing them to snap. Maybe the manufacturer should consider making the zip ties from steel cable coated thickly in a strong rubber, and not from plastic.

[@alexmontes8152]

Thanks for sharing friend! I have the plastic ties but i think its much better the rope. It must be elastic rope

[@OneLivingLife]

try making a video on how you tied those ropes to the tire... detailing precautions like avoiding sensors while tieing etc.

[@maxrockatansky4060]

Its old school trick can't beat old school always worked for me cool video

[@Flame-Bright-Cheer]

Dude thanks so much for making this video quite inspiring got me to subscribe I don't even know if you make videos anymore but this one was a goodie🤘🏻😉🤘🏻

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Ha thanks for the subscribe. I still make videos. check out my channel. uploading one right now actually 👍

[@scldma114]

Well, good to know! Thanks a lot for sharing this!

[@charlesjohnson8378]

Shalom, I Bless You Son - You Have Made My Day - YAHOO.

[@rpadilla99ish]

I'm just baffled that you're not wearing gloves ⛄ but awesome, I'm gonna try this on my supermoto.

[@jimmymcjimmyvich9052]

How did you get on? I was going to buy a snow bike kit, Only for fun as I live in Ireland and snow is rare.

[@SnowmanIkkaan]

In a pinch to get out from terrain for a few hundred meters, maybe. But imagine what happens when the rope snaps and wraps around the hub. Wheel is blocked and sends you flying, not just dropping to a side. For Emergency use total yes. But a total no go for anything longer than 5 minutes.

[@ahmadjuraimi6175]

How about icy tarmac/road?

[@BlackdogADV]

In 1969 I was home on leave from Vietnam. We had a big snow but I was determined to ride. I found some random chain in the shop and made a set of chains that fit my bike. They worked well but the rear set wore out quickly due to wheel spin. I’m in The Dalles Oregon now with 6” of snow on the ground and I’ve been thinking of making a modern set for the Husqvarna. Are you near Mt Hood?

[@Ian6041]

Like your video Bring back memories of being a kid with a bicycle. Thanks

[@johnpillinger7220]

I do the same thing on my Honda during the winter to get to campus. Still looking for the most durable type of rope for the purpose.

[@OneLivingLife]

loved it buddy... 👍 will be relying on the same on my upcoming winter ride to the himalayas... :)

[@backcountryadvmoto]

One Living Life ride safe!

[@jasonstewart3748]

You saved me $25 today. Im doing it for fun.

[@cjcj3222]

Nice, we got a bunch of snow now, rare for. Rode up a hill in the woods today, a lot of spinning.. could have used this just for fun maybe next time

[@Horrented]

please do make a video on you put the rope , my bike is the only way i commute and winter is almost upon us lol , on days its going to snow i would love to make it to work without taking a 2 hour bus ride

[@evanjensen4440]

Rope was used back in the early days of the automobile as tire chains had not been developed yet.

[@TimberTrainer]

Very impressive!

[@CSGOSupericus]

Pretty cool man good emergency knowledge

[@dougiequick1]

Product idea Rubber rope! Maybe made in alternating width fat skinny fat skinny WITH steel cable core?

[@2fast2block]

Good to know. Thanks, man.

[@eveRide]

Haha that's crazy! I'm curiosity as to how rope would do in... Mud? Also, do you have to line it up all pretty like that? ;)

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Haha. It might work pretty good in the mud too. And as far as pretty goes, yes it absolutely has to be pretty lol!

[@jasonstewart3748]

Or wrap the rope in steel cable for ice maybe thread some nuts there are some potential upgrades maybe.

[@THEOneAndOnlyDOCTORofHUMANICS]

Would climbing-rope be the toughest type of rope to try this with then?!? I was thinking that when the rope becomes frayed, that holding a flame to it would take care of the damage and keep it going longer?!? How did you do the video of both your helmet view and the far away view...Does KZbin allow for that, or, did you have to work on that with other software? You seem skilled at riding in the snow, even with a heavier bike, but I would not have gone that close to the truck if I had been you! ;) Martin.

[@miguel360kmc]

Awesome. I have a sur-ron lbx more or less e-dirtbike , kind of like a down hill MTB and a pit bike had a baby 🍼🐥 anyway I ride all year around I normally just go very slow ride careful but that only takes you so far. It's ruff for the sur ron cause it is only 100lbs wind tosses it like nothing (very scary at 50mph lol and why I don't take mine over 45mph) anyway I put some robe in my road side kit enough for front and back wasn't sure it would work though

[@DavidAnderson-cx5ie]

Have you tried snow chains? Maybe cut down car chains and reconnect by welding or with quick links.

[@moulin680]

Thanks for making this! Love it! I wonder if would work as good on the mud?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

moulin6801 it probably wood unless the mud is real sticky then I could see there being an issue with it gumming up and not clearing. Thanks for watching!

[@TheMotorman1981]

That was unreal..No need to buy any crap zip ties or snow chains...just nylon ropes....how cool

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Thanks for watching. I was also shocked!

[@aubreygmcghee]

You ought to wrap it with a cable instead of rope. With the rope it could easily break and get caught and send you over the front of the bike. If the ropes work cables might be a great option.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

I like your thinking. Ill need to come up with a way to secure it but thats a good idea

[@LookattheBiggerPic]

Wow, that is pretty amazing - so how many feet of rope on rear / on front ?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

So on the front 90/90 21 I used about 40ft, and on the rear 15/70/18 I used about 45 feet. You would be solid if you got two 50ft packs of climbing rope, or one 100ft.

[@ZsoltBoda]

wow!

[@mattgreen9323]

Great idea

[@MrBhanub]

Hi, great work, can this method also help on the black ice?

[@cheeko_914]

😂

[@iSlanderEST]

Nice!

[@mhilde7744]

Ummmm, can we get a shot of your wife, in the window, shaking her head? Thanks for the post

[@fallinginthed33p]

What's the danger if the rope snaps after getting frayed? It looks like it could get wrapped up in your chain.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

For sure. This is supposed to be for short term use only. For getting through drifts in the spring or late fall in the mountains or of some unexpected weather were to get your stuck. Not something that you would use to ride around all the time on. Also, climbing rope is designed to be abrasion resistant and it also does not fray much when it is cut. Not perfect, but lighter than chain or cable and easier to work with.

[@dingudanga598]

How does it do on Black Ice

[@sctpc]

It would be interesting to try on sand also.

[@backcountryadvmoto]

sctpc yes it would. I would think it would help. Almost like mini paddles

[@cliftondugan5295]

Wonder how steel cable would work

[@diydadandson4497]

Been doing this for years but don’t use Single piece at the back as that will wrap things up

[@randygeyer4730]

How long did it take you to install those ropes?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

5 min

[@antonypilepich8947]

Recently has my cruiser, on a clay and sand road with road tyres, was going quite well when the road was dry. until a bit of rain hit and changed the surface to slime, then it took 6 hours to go 30 miles. trying to walk a sliding tractionless bike under me. i am thinking this rope might have got me me moving. what do you think?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Antony Pilepich I think it would have worked great. I keep rope in my bags now on any trip. You never know when it will come in handy. Especially on the bigger bikes.

[@pottasium7117]

could you ride with tires like theese if you're commuting (but there's alot of snow and mush on the road)?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Pottasium I would assume so. I had pretty good traction in the road. I’m not saying it’s full proof, but worth a try. Thanks for watching

[@madman432000]

You could carry a pack of screws and small cordless driver and put them in the knobs if you run into snow or ice. How is it for braking?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Phil Ward braking is actually really awesome! Abs even still functions as it should. When you say screws I’m assuming you mean screw them into the knobs front the outside?

[@madman432000]

Backcountry Adventure Motorsports Yes from the outside, makes it like a studded tire. I've saw vids of dirt bikes riding snowy and icy trails with them.

[@ZebraActual]

@@backcountryadvmoto use hex head screws for the best bite

[@repairtipstricks489]

great idea in emergency

[@user-xb2um6bx7i]

Thanks for this video. Where can i get those plastic ties?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

안성범 Amazon, but they are garbage. Dont waste your money

[@user-xb2um6bx7i]

Backcountry Adventure Motorsports Oh yes i just searched them a lot people said that . I will get cotton ties Thanks! Have a good day.

[@bryanmathis224]

i would of liked to see it with out the ropes as a comparison

[@backcountryadvmoto]

bryan mathis it’s freaking all over the place haha.

[@08alexnyc]

Do you think Kevlar rope would fray less?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

08alexnyc oh I’m sure it would. I’m guessing the nylon rope would get you out of the snow in emergencies, but adding Kevlar I’m guessing would help. I was shocked how well it worked. Thanks for watching

[@Pokitchange86]

Sorry if you stated this I must have missed it but how long was that rope?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

I’m trying to remember, I think it was 50ft, but that seems long. I want to say I bought 50ft then trimmed it to fit. Hard to remember since I did the video 2 years ago. Works great through

[@Pokitchange86]

@@backcountryadvmoto ya I didn't notice the date until after I asked. I just wanted to make sure I take a long enough rope. A buddy and me are going to do the Colorado BDR in July and I'm not sure if there'll be enough snow on any of the passes to use it for that but I'll want the rope with me for other possible purposes anyway so that trick might come in handy thanks for sharing!

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Stopchangingmyname it’s a strong possibility that there will be snow in the high passes. Hopefully you’ll have jeeps or trucks that have gone through and broken a trail for you. Makes life way easier. That is the exact reason why I experimented with this. A couple of years ago I did the Nevada BDR early season and there’s always a chance that in the northern section there is snow on the high passes.

[@TWPeeps]

Did you tie the ends rope off on your spokes?

[@backcountryadvmoto]

Sid Shelton no, just to the wheel. Made sure the knot was in the middle so it didn’t hit anything.

[@dimitriskatsanopoulos1918]

👍👍👍!!🇬🇷🏍

[@frankzappa2274]

Haha Nice!

[@thetrumanshowaborjin9607]

👍👏👏👏